Staten Islander shines brightly in Jesuit firmament

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With all the negativity oftentimes associated with today’s young adults, it’s certainly refreshing to hear of a college role model deeply deserving of praise.

New Springville’s Morgan Blayke Vazquez was recently inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society. Membership is based on scholarship, loyalty and service. Only the top 15 percent of junior and senior classes at Jesuit schools are invited to apply for membership, and of those, just 4 percent are selected.

As if that’s not enough of an honor, Morgan was named president of Lambda Pi Eta, the national communications honor society, for the 2012-13 academic year, as well as president of the Jewish Student Organization. The astute student notes that during the fall semester, she’ll collaborate with the Fordham Campus Ministry to initiate additional programming for Fordham’s Jewish student population.

It has often been said that if you want something done, give it to a busy person. Morgan is definitely a case in point.

Morgan also was recently selected to be a Fordham Career Ambassador in a program that aims to provide a cohort of Fordham’s talented and career-driven students the opportunity to serve as a bridge between Fordham Career Services and the undergraduate student body — and also became part of the Global Peer Assistant program, which means that she’ll volunteer her time this summer to assist first-year international students with their integration to Fordham and New York City.

A violist in the Fordham Orchestra, she also is a news anchor on “Fordham Nightly News.”

Other summer plans? In June, Morgan will begin the JPMorgan Chase Human Resources Summer Internship Program, where she’ll offer her assistance on the treasury and securities services talent and development team.

But, says she, of more import to the Staten Island community — which she holds near and dear to her heart — she’s single-handedly organizing the Fourth Annual Doo Wop Night on June 10 at the Alzheimer’s Foundation of Staten Island, 789 Post Ave., West Brighton, to benefit the Staten Island Alzheimer’s Foundation.

“Gladys Schweiger, the executive director, works so hard to never turn anyone away, and I know the foundation needs money to keep it viable for those of our community who have nowhere to turn for help. Gladys is always there and lets me run this great night,” she explains.

Morgan considers herself fortunate to have nine wonderfully talented groups offer to perform on a voluntary basis so that all proceeds from the event can be earmarked for the Alzheimer’s Foundation to help more than 25,000 families affected by this disease.

On tap at the event will be Barbara Harris, The Encounters, The Clusters, Still Around, The Tee Tones, Loren Utt, The DelAngels, The Expressions and Deja Vu.

The cost is $50 per person, which includes an Italian buffet-style dinner, soda, coffee and dessert. A cash bar and 50/50 raffles will be on offer. For additional information and/or reservations, telephone 718-667-7110.